Step 5: Expand Your Zones

The toughest part with any new city is the income. You're often running at a loss, especially given that you need to get your utilities operating quickly. Your first test zones that you laid in step 3 won't be enough, so now it's time to start expanding.

Simply put, there is no right way or wrong way to lay zones as long as you respect pollution. Create at least nine residential neighborhoods, and at least one commercial block per three neighborhoods (9 housing neighborhoods means at least 3 commercial blocks total). Keep an eye on the RCI Meter, and lay down industrial zones as well as needed.

Try to create your new zones within an overall plan. If you're intending a specialization, be sure to plan around it. That is, don't lay down any zones over coal deposits if you're planning on mining it all up. Still, overall perfection isn't necessarily important; you can always bulldoze later, and right now, you need the money.